Be the Change You Want to See

by Susan Allred

How many times have we said to ourselves, “It sure would be nice if...” or “Why don't they...?” How often do we talk about how few good books are available, or how often we say, “I need to read it to make sure it's OK before I let my children have it.”

If you can't see me, I'm over here waving my hands wildly. Do you want to know a little secret about me? I don't watch TV. Why? Because even the commercials are junk. The news is depressing or skewed, and most of what's available does nothing to uplift me. Don't get me wrong. My husband watches his allotment and mine combined. And that's OK with me. I'm not judging. Everyone has their own way of decompressing at the end of a long day.

What does this have to do with writing? Simple. We, as writers have the ability to see something we don't like, and to offer up an alternative. Don't like smutty romance novels? Write a clean one. Don't like books filled with horror and carnage? Write something that is suspenseful, yet clean. Tired of the same boring plot? Create something new and exciting.

My parents were an excellent example of being the change you want to see in the world. They used to love going to role-playing mystery games. However, they didn't like going to a party where character stories involved mistresses, sexual innuendos, or compromising positions. They decided to write their own games. By the time my father passed away, he had written 19 different G-Rated mystery games for groups up to 50 people. They sold their games to corporations, churches, youth parties, and a variety of other people who wanted exactly what my parents were offering - but couldn't find - until my dad stepped up and decided to change the norm.

When you consider the content of your next book, remember that you can be that change you want to see in the world. Who knows? Maybe you'll inspire someone else to do the same.